Men’s grooming products on the rise
Just a few years ago the idea of men spending much time on
personal grooming was a joke.
Men’s grooming products on the rise
Just a few years ago the idea of men spending much time on personal grooming was a joke. The stereotype was that women primped and prepped toiling away the hours in the bathroom and men simply stepped out of the shower, threw on a little deodorant and went about their business – and sometimes the deodorant wasn’t even a necessary requirement.
Then the term “Metrosexual” was coined in the late ’90s to refer to men, especially heterosexual men whose lifestyle, spending habits and concern for personal appearance seemed typical of a fashionable, urban, homosexual man.
Since men have become more interested in grooming, many companies have started lines that cater to them.
Today most major brands of grooming products have both women’s and men’s lines. First up is Bath and Body Works. Their line of men’s products is called C.O. Bigelow. It features an entire line filled with cologne, hair and body wash, foaming shaving gels, as well as other exfoliating facial products. Most of the items start around $10 and go up to $30-plus.
The Body Shop, another bath and body retailer located in most major malls and retail areas, also features a number of reasonably priced men’s grooming items including deodorants, shower gels, body scrubs and shaving products.
Mary Kay and Avon are both associated with door-to-door sales of beauty products. Traditionally women would gather for a Mary Kay party and try out new cosmetics. But most people still don’t realize that the cosmetic companies also feature men’s lines. Some of the most popular items include exfoliating creams and shower gels.
Carolyn Homan sells Mary Kay products in Hollister. The introduction of men’s products in Mary Kay’s line is a new thing, but she has men that are using the products and suspects more will come, she said.
“I haven’t been selling that long, but there are men using our products,” Homan said. “But I definitely think more will use the products as they get to know the products, especially the skin preservation uses. Though they’re kind of expensive, but you get what you pay for.”
Products from the MK Men line include skin moisturizers, body buffers, and shaving foams that help reduce skin irritation. Products start around $14.
Even big retail chains, such as Target, now feature beauty products for men as well as women, though the selection for men is smaller than other specialty stores.
The best way to find a product that works for you is to experiment, according to Cindy Reese, of Bath and Body Works.
“These days many of our customers are men,” Reese said. “I think the times are just changing. There are quite a few guys who get turned onto it because their girlfriends want them to look good, but there are an even greater number of guys who come by themselves just looking to enhance their appearance.”
David Williams, a 35-year-old computer programmer has been using male grooming products for years and said that though it takes longer to get ready, it’s totally worth it.
“Some of my friends tease me,” Williams said. “Because it takes a while to get ready, but I don’t get many complaints from the ladies. I know some people who spend 30 or 40 minutes every day. It’s crazy.”
While the trend continues to grow in popularity, more and more companies are cashing in on the beauty business.
